In a landmark decision, a Manhattan jury found Donald Trump guilty of 34 charges of falsifying business records on Thursday. This unprecedented verdict marks the first time in American history that a former president has been convicted of a felony.

A Historic First:

Trump's conviction is not only historic as the first former president found guilty of a felony, but it also sets another record. He is the first major-party presidential nominee to be convicted of a crime during an active campaign for the White House. Should he defeat President Joe Biden in November, Trump would become the first sitting president in U.S. history to hold office as a convicted felon.

The Voters' Decision:

The implications of this guilty verdict will ultimately rest with the voters in November. Legally, the conviction does not disqualify Trump from being re-elected as president. The decision now lies in the hands of the American electorate to determine how this verdict will influence their vote.

The Case Against Trump:

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, announced the charges against Trump last year. This indictment accused Trump of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payment was intended to prevent Daniels from speaking out about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election, an affair Trump has consistently denied.

Throughout the seven-week trial, the district attorney’s office presented 20 witnesses to demonstrate how the hush-money payment to Daniels was part of a broader pattern of efforts to suppress negative stories about Trump ahead of the election. The prosecution argued that Trump orchestrated the payment in October 2016, fearing its potential impact on his campaign.

Key Testimony:

Michael Cohen emerged as the prosecution’s key witness. He detailed how Trump directed him to pay Daniels and later approved a scheme to reimburse him through $35,000 monthly installments in 2017. These payments were “grossed up” to cover the taxes Cohen would owe.

Legal and Political Ramifications:

This historic verdict sets a new precedent in American politics and legal history. It raises critical questions about the intersection of legal accountability and political viability, especially as Trump continues his campaign for the presidency.

Stay Updated:

This story is developing and will be updated with further details. For the latest updates, follow Houston Style Magazine.